ABSENT FROM THE BODY
(An analysis of 2 Corinthians 5)
ESCHATOLOGY.COM
It is interesting when you examine the people who deny heaven and the
holiest of all and the presence of God now for believers pretty much stay
away from texts dealing with tranformation. As I have examined their statements
and posts they do not really even touch those. There is such a wealth of
Scripture that addresses this first century change from OC death into NC
life.
Another amazing thing is that this doctrine of the first century transformation
goes completely unnoticed by futurist reformers and futurists in general.
In fact, Murray Harris' From Grave to Glory does not even touch this subject
in his observation of the seed text in 1 Cor 15.
The main reason the transformation texts go untouched is because they
deal with the change from death to life and the progressive salvation that
was taking place upon those first century believers. This is why there
is such confusion with the imagined "already but not yet" doctrine. They,
like the full preterists who deny heaven now, partition an immortal spiritual
life from an immortal body. The only real difference between the views
is that one affirms that the resurrection of the dead took place in AD
70 as opposed to the future. And of course there are a myriad of futurist
and preterist views concerning the actual nature of the "immortal body."
But the interesting thing is that there is no such term in the NT, neither
can spiritual body be separated from spiritual life. Our physical body
has physical life. Our spiritual body has spiritual life.
The futurists in particular are oblivious to the doctrine of the first
century transformation. They fail to see the already and becoming. Again,
this is the major stumbling block both for the futurists and for those
who deny heaven now for all believers in Christ. They really never address
passages like:
Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye
now made perfect by the flesh?
They will usually say they agree with it, but then never address what it
was that had these "beginnings" in the Spirit, neither do they address
the ultimate goal of that, which was to bring the firstfruits of the harvest
(first century believers) into a final and glorious union with the OT believers
who died in faith having not received the promise of the better resurrection.
This is precisely what Paul meant when he said:
Rom 8:17-23 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs
with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which is about to be revealed
in
US. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation
of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not
willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption (mortality under the law while it was passing away) into the
glorious liberty (Jerusalem from above) of the children of God. 22 For
we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together
until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits
of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
So Paul's eschatological hope was that the first century saints (the firstfruits)
would be joined with the whole creation (ktisis) in the adoption together
as the sons of God (i.e. Sons who would all be glorified together-the ultimate
goal of complete redemption):
Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom
are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of
their salvation perfect through sufferings.
This glorification was the highest part of redemption for the complete
creation of Israel under the law:
Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to
come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this building;
Notice the more perfect tabernacle. Compare with:
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle
were dissolved, we have (not future tense) a building of God, an house
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Compare the "without hands" motif and that to which it refers and is associated:
Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made
with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
Acts 7:46-48 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle
for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him an house. 48 Howbeit the
most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to
appear in the presence of God for us:
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that
he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
2 Chronicles 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?
behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much
less this house which I have built!
The house of Israel or body of death or OC creation are all shown as that
which was under the corruption of the law of sin and death. This whole
creation was in the process of decaying and waxing old:
Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first
old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Under the law they were unclothed or naked because of Adam's transgression.
2 Corinthians says:
2 Corinthians 5:2-3 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be
clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being
clothed we shall not be found naked.
The final goal of clothing was predicted:
Psalms 132:13-16 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it
for his habitation. {14} This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for
I have desired it. {15} I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy
her poor with bread. {16} I will also clothe her priests with salvation:
and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Notice the association of priests (who minister in the house of God) and
clothing and how these are associated with salvation. As we have seen,
the first century saints were being saved from OC death into NC life. They
were being clothed with immortality. This was the change into the image
of Christ. The NKJV translates this correctly when Paul says:
2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being
burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but further clothed,
that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Notice the groaning. This is precisely the groaning of Romans 8. The body
of death in Romans 8 and here are the same. Paul said he did not wish to
be found naked (or having his own righteousness):
Philippians 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that
I may win Christ, {9} And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: {10} That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being
made conformable unto his death;
Paul clearly associates the goal of redemption "That I may win Christ."
He equates this with knowing Him (marital knowledge "That they may know
Thee, the only true God…" John 17:3) and experiencing the power of His
resurrection. Paul did not want to be found having his own righteousness
(found naked) but having the complete clothing of Christ's righteousness.
Isaiah also speaks of this clothing:
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be
joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh
himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Again, clothing and salvation are associated. Paul's clothing motif in
2 Corinthians cannot be misconstrued to be referring to a partitioned clothing
to be received upon physical death. Paul was looking for the completion
of the clothing of the NC in Christ Jesus-to be clothed from the nakedness
under the law of sin and death.
When we are able to identify the first tabernacle in contrast to the
second and more perfect tabernacle, and the first house in contrast to
the house in the heavens, and the nakedness in contrast to the clothing,
it then becomes apparent that we must also contrast the first body of death
with the body of life or Christ:
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing
is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
The earnest of the Spirit was to prove that the Spirit was clothing them
with NC life in Christ (i.e. the were being transformed into the image
or body of Christ "as by the Spirit of the Lord"):
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
This is all the same context. Paul begins the context in 2 Cor 3:6, as
he contrasts the OC glory which was passing, with the NC glory which was
excelling and remaining. Other passages associate this deposit or sealing
of the Spirit with the final eschatological and redemptive climax of that
transformation:
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is
the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.
That final redemption is none other than that of which Paul spoke in Romans
concerning the "redemption of our body." This was the redemption or complete
gathering together in one in Christ:
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he
might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth; even in him:
In that passage we see the whole OC creation. The fulness of times represented
the Messianic time frame in which God would work a short work upon
the earth to bring in righteousness:
Romans 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness:
because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Again, Paul addresses the "sealing" later in Ephesians:
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption.
Again, this sealing of the transforming Spirit is associated with redemption.
We cannot impose another redemption upon Romans 8. Luke was clear:
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look
up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
And Paul deals even more with this same sealing in 2 Corinthians 1:
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which is establishing us with you is
Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given
the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
It is imperative that we do not separate this transformation idea of sealing
from the text in 2 Corinthians 5:
2 Corinthians 5:5-6 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing
is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. {6} Therefore
we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body,
we are absent from the Lord:
As far as Paul was concerned, to not have won Christ or have Christ yet
dwelling in his heart was to be absent from the Lord, for they were still
only in the first part of the Temple in heaven and not in the holiest of
all. As long as they were not in the holiest of all they were still in
the OC body of death. But the main difference between them and those OT
believers who had died in faith having NOT received the promises was that
the first century believers were being changed and being saved and being
raised into the fullness of NC life. Paul saw such importance in the holiest
of all that he could with full assurance declare that while they were still
out of the holiest of all they were still in the OC body of death, from
which Paul was longing to be delivered. While the NC body of life or Christ
was growing into completion its individuals were growing with it. Again
there can be no elect corporate without the elect individuals. What Paul
was declaring in Romans 8 is that without the complete salvation and growth
of the first century church as a whole, there would be no complete salvation,
for God promised He would save His people from their sins. That is why
God was so longsuffering to Israel in Romans 11 and 2 Pet 3. He was not
going to destroy Israel until the last of that elect creation would be
saved. The body of life was not complete as long as there remained even
one of those elect individuals of the whole creation in an unregenerate
state. Once the last of the elect necessary to complete the growth of the
body of life into a new man, then Christ would dwell in their hearts:
Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again
until Christ be formed in you,
Through the Spirit, Christ (the new Man or Image or Body) was being formed
in them BY the spirit. They were being conformed into the image if Him
the created them:
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is being renewed
in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren.
Examine what is associated with this conformation into the image of Christ:
"that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Christ was the FIRST
to rise from the dead and the ultimate conformation into His image would
be the complete rising of the OC creation or body or image of death into
the NC creation or body or Image of Life of Christ. While one was being
sown in corruption and decaying, the other was being sown in incorruption
and was being raised into newness of life, both on the individual as well
as the corporate level:
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It
is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: {43} It is sown in
dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power: {44} It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The problem most people have with this passage is that they do not consider
the transformational aspect that was taking place. This is identical with
the passage in 2 Corinthians 5.
Paul continues:
2 Corinthians 5:7-10 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) {8} We
are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and
to be present with the Lord. {9} Wherefore we labour, that, whether present
or absent, we may be accepted of him. {10} For we must all appear before
the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things (done)
in (his) body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Here we see Paul associating judgment with the resurrection. Also verse
10 should read:
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat
of Christ; that every one may receive the things in body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
These "things" represented those things done whether in faith or in the
flesh (self-righteousness) as those who were living during the transitional
period. Compare:
1 Corinthians 3:8-17 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are
one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
{9} For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye
are God's building. {10} According to the grace of God which is given unto
me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. {11} For
other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
{12} Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, stubble; {13} Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the
day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire
shall try every man's work of what sort it is. {14} If any man's work abide
which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. {15} If any man's
work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved;
yet so as by fire. {16} Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and
that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? {17} If any man defile the temple
of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple
ye are.
Paul says "yes (plural) are God's building (singular). Was their foundation
built upon sand (OC) or the Rock (NC)? The sure foundation was Christ:
Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house
upon a rock: {25} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded
upon a rock. {26} And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house
upon the sand: {27} And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall
of it.
Jesus is contrasting those who were trusting in the law and nationality
versus trusting in Christ. Paul says that those works which had the foundation
of the law would be regarded as nothing and were only profitable for burning.
In other words, the very fire of the Gospel tested whether the previous
works before the Gospel came were done in faith or in self-righteousness.
Paul says they (plural) are the Temple (singular) of God. They were the
Temple in whom God (who does not dwell in Temples made with hands) dwelt.
God's Spirit dwelled in them:
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with
idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will
dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall
be my people.
The Temple is not the physical body, for then the Temple would be destroyed.
How could a NC everlasting Temple be destroyed?
I will stop there. I believe the above passages are sufficient to explain
Paul's intent in 2 Corinthians 5
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